Shell

Shell is expanding its collaboration with the BMW AG, following on from being named the recommended supplier of genuine BMW oil and BMW Group’s only recommended global supplier for aftermarket motor oils.

Shell Lubricants – Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum – joins forces with BMW Motorsport as its premium technology partner and exclusive supplier of premium motor oils. And Shell V-Power will be the recommended fuel for the BMW M Automobiles.

The lubricants’ partnership spans Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USCC) and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit (Germany) covering races in Austria, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the USA.

The types of racing covered are varied: ranging from the well-established sedan-racing DTM series, which is among the most popular touring car series in the world, to the newbie USCC series, only in its second season, combining a heritage of road and endurance racing in North America, and not forgetting the pure endurance of the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Shell’s involvement in motor racing helps Shell to develop its range of products for the everyday motorist: this new link up strengthens this commitment.

The fuels alliance means Shell V-Power Gasoline and Shell V-Power Diesel are recommended for the BMW M Automobiles recognising more than 100 years heritage in innovation and fuels leadership

. With its unique formulations designed to actively clean and protect vital engine parts, Shell V-Power is seen as an ideal partner for BMW M Automobiles, BMWs pinnacle of technology.

Speaking on the tie-up, Mark Gainsborough, Shell Executive Vice President said, “Shell has passion for motor racing, as demonstrated by our long standing involvement in the international motorsport arena. We are excited to be expanding this involvement as BMW Motorsport’s partner, in addition to being the BMW Group’s recommended supplier of aftermarket engine oils.

The partnership with BMW highlights the significant contribution that our brands such as Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum motor oils and Shell V-Power fuels can make to the performance of BMW cars both on and off the track. This collaboration will enable two like-minded companies to push the boundaries of both motor oil, fuel and engine development - hopefully for the ultimate benefit of the everyday car driver.”

Motor oils are crucial in ensuring engine durability and enabling vehicle efficiency and performance. Their cleansing, friction reduction and temperature control properties are important contributors to durability and performance. Evolving motorsport race rules have made the use of premium oils even more vital for an ambitious race team such as BMW. For example each DTM manufacturer is only permitted nine engines to last the full 2015 season. In pre-season testing, BMW Motorsport has already seen enhanced performance benefits to the engine from using Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.

“Everyone at BMW Motorsport is delighted that we can count on the support of Shell in the future, both in DTM and USCC, as well as the Nürburgring 24 Hours,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum as products are perfectly suited to our motorsport projects. We are putting our faith in these high-performance motor oils, and hope that the new partnership will allow us to lay the foundation for great success together on the racetrack.”

Shell will allocate a dedicated team of engineers, who will work alongside BMW Motorsport engineers. They will apply decades of motorsport experience to develop a bespoke blend of motor oil for the BMW M4 DTM car. This development will be on-going during testing and the race season.